Durumi residents want FCTA to provide water, basic amenities
NAN-AE-4
Water
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Feb. 1, 2017 (NAN) Some residents of Durumi, a suburb of Abuja, on Wednesday called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to provide potable water to cater for their domestic needs.
They told a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent in Abuja that they spend some money to buy water from water vendors, also known as ‘mairuwa,’ on a daily basis.
They reiterated that water as an essential commodity to human beings is one basic social amenity government has failed to provide in their communities over the years.
They opined that it was the responsibility of the government to make water available for the citizenry.
A salon owner, Ms Adenike Yusuf, said it was disturbing the way government neglected some parts of the Federal Capital Territory, in terms of provision of essential amenities.
She lamented that, “while some privileged few, especially the politicians, lived in perpetual wealth, the ordinary man continues to suffer in a country where there is uneven distribution of wealth.’’
Yusuf called on FCTA to look at possibilities of providing potable water for the community, pointing out that a large number of children, especially under-five, often contact water-borne diseases.
She also called for improved road network, saying vehicles and motorcycles found it difficult to reach some parts of the area, thereby forcing commuters to trek long distances before getting to their homes.
A civil servant, Mr David Auta, who expressed regret that the little he earned was being spent largely on buying water.
He said that many Nigerians were going through some difficulties before getting water for their chores.
“Water is something you can’t do without; it is rather unfortunate that the government is not doing anything to solve this issue of lack of potable water in the area.”
While stressing that the water bought from the vendors cannot be trusted, he said, they still had to resort to sachet water for drinking in his house.
Auta expressed optimism that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, would make access to potable water a priority.
Obinna Elochukwu, another resident operating a restaurant, said a large number of Nigerians are optimistic that the present administration would provide water and other basic amenities to the people.
“We are in the era of change, and we hope that this change is a positive one that will affect all segments of the society.
“We need leaders that will be responsive to our basic needs like potable water and electricity, you won’t believe how we suffer to get water for all uses,’’ he said. (NAN)
TAK/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide